Renault 4CV PIE Police de la Prefecture de Paris 1955 T-Shirt - Long Sleeves - Side View
Renault 4CV PIE Police de la Prefecture de Paris 1955 Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Being the first French modern car after the war, the 4CV appeared as a Police car in 1955. At the time, except for the Citroen Traction Avant and mostly driven by detectives, the police did not a park of police cars, and depended mostly on trucks and bicycles. As soon as 1952, the Parisian police director, Mr. Gobin selected the 4CV for his new fleet of police cars. The Parisian coachbuilder Currus, already known for its Citroen HY van the “panier a Salade”, designed the unfamous vehicle. Modifications to the production version included cutaway door windows, for easy access and body signage, as well as enabling the use of firearms when required, suppression of the B pillar and a tuned and more powerful engine to facilitate the pursuit of fleeing criminals. Additional equipment included a short-wave radio and flashing lights, and the 'PP' (Prefecture of Police) 4CVs were painted in distinctive black and white livery, hence their nickname 'pie' (magpie). Following successful tests of the prototype, the first batch of 16 4CVs was delivered in March 1955. Compact, manoeuvrable and fast, the modified 4CVs proved to be the ideal vehicles for policing the crowded roads of the French capital. Soon after, Renault treated the police department to lift the car’s warranty following the B pillar’s modification. The remaining 60 4CVs had standard bodies delivered and conserved the B pillar. Because of this, all the original police cars were later crushed… almost all but 2 or 3! The first one was send to New York for an official presentation in 1959. NYPD was looking for a small and agile little car, capable of squeezing through traffic. The car was equipped with a siren and a red light on top of the roof. The car received a great success from he officials and was sent all the way to San Francisco for further presentation. The 4CV was left behind as a souvenir, but as today no trace of it could be find. The second was found in a private collection in Germany. After an intensive research it appeared that the guy bought 2 4CV to the Boulogne-Billancourt movie studios. The cars were bought directly from the Parisian police department and are featured in several movies as “Porte des Lillas” or “the Pink Panther”. As today, it is the only original Renault 4CV Pie that has survived.
A game of subtle lights and shadows reveal the magnificent curves of the body of the Renault 4CV PIE Police de la Prefecture de Paris 1955, a Legendary French Automobile. Detailed and harmonious, the artistic illustration has grabbed the essence of one of the most influential vehicle of the 20th century and is printed in front of the tee. Refine and stylish, it is a perfect wear for any occasion and to show your passion for a true Legend that lives forever: the Renault 4CV PIE Police de la Prefecture de Paris 1955 Long Sleeve T-Shirt.
The featured original artwork has been printed on a high quality 6.0 oz 100% pre-shrunk American cotton t-shirt.
Seamless double needle collar - sleeve & bottom hems.
It is available in Black, Charcoal, Indigo, Forest Green, Navy & Military Green in size S - M - L - XL - 2XL - 3XL - 4XL and 5XL
*RENAULT or any other marks are registered trademarks. Our products are not approved by any of these manufacturers and trademarks. We do not imply any association with these manufacturers and references are based on historical information in the public domain.
